Member’s Mark Liquid Laundry Detergent, Fresh Scent

This is a heavy-duty, enzyme-powered liquid laundry detergent formulated to deliver advanced stain removal and brightening performance on everyday fabrics.

Performance Rating: 9.2

The formula achieves an exceptionally high cleaning efficacy through a synergistic multi-surfactant system featuring sodium C10-16 alkylbenzenesulfonate, sodium laureth sulfate, and C12-15 alcohols ethoxylated, which effectively lifts heavy grease and particulate soils. A sophisticated multi-enzyme cocktail comprising protease, amylase, and mannanase breaks down complex protein, starch, and food gum stains. Performance is further boosted by polyethyleneimine alkoxylated and sodium polyacrylate for anti-redeposition and soil release, alongside tetrasodium iminodisuccinate and sodium citrate for water softening. The addition of an optical brightener ensures noticeable fabric vibrancy and whiteness across diverse wash conditions.

Safety Rating: 6.2

The product exhibits a moderate safety profile primarily due to the inclusion of isothiazolinone preservatives, specifically methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone, which are well-documented skin sensitizers and contact allergens. Strong anionic surfactants like sodium C10-16 alkylbenzenesulfonate can strip skin lipids and cause mild irritation upon direct exposure. Furthermore, the presence of ethanolamine and triethanolamine introduces potential respiratory and dermal irritation concerns, while undisclosed fragrances, colorants, and the fluorescent brightener present risks of contact dermatitis and higher aquatic toxicity, making the formulation less ideal for individuals with heightened skin sensitivities.

Final Rating: 8.0

This detergent represents a classic performance-forward formulation that balances industrial-grade cleaning power against standard synthetic safety trade-offs. Its comprehensive blend of specialized enzymes, chelating builders, and soil-suspending polymers delivers reliable, heavy-duty stain removal across varied laundry loads. While the formulation excels at maintaining fabric brightness and removing stubborn soils, the reliance on potent synthetic preservatives, fragrance mixtures, and strong surfactants lowers its overall gentleness profile. It stands as an effective, mainstream household cleaning solution best suited for consumers prioritizing peak stain-fighting performance over hypoallergenic or strictly eco-conscious ingredient standards.

Verdict

This liquid laundry detergent features a robust surfactant and enzyme system designed for high-performance cleaning. The multi-surfactant base combines sodium laureth sulfate, linear alkylbenzene sulfonate, and alcohol ethoxylates to break down grease, oil, and particulate grime effectively. Complementing these surfactants is a triple-enzyme cocktail of protease, amylase, and mannanase, which systematically targets tough biological stains such as blood, grass, starchy foods, and thickeners like guar gum. Together, these active components ensure comprehensive soil removal across a wide spectrum of common household stains.

Beyond basic cleaning, the formula incorporates advanced water-softening and anti-redeposition agents. Ingredients like sodium citrate and biodegradable tetrasodium iminodisuccinate bind hard water minerals, preventing interference with surfactant activity. Polymers such as sodium polyacrylate and alkoxylated polyethyleneimine actively suspend soil particles in wash water, preventing dingy graying and dirt re-deposition onto clean fibers. The inclusion of fluorescent brightener 28 enhances the visual appearance of white and light-colored fabrics by absorbing ultraviolet light and re-emitting it in the blue spectrum.

Despite its impressive cleaning capability, the formula contains several ingredients that raise contact dermatitis and sensitivity concerns. It is preserved using methylisothiazolinone and methylchloroisothiazolinone, both of which are potent isothiazolinone biocides known for triggering skin irritation and allergic reactions. Furthermore, the presence of added fragrances and synthetic colorants means this detergent may leave residual sensitizers on clothing fibers. Individuals with compromised skin barriers or known fragrance allergies should exercise caution or consider using an extra rinse cycle.

Overall, this detergent represents a powerful everyday cleaning solution tailored for heavily soiled loads, active families, and mixed cotton-synthetic wardrobes. It performs reliably across cold, warm, and hot water cycles, making it an efficient choice for tackling stubborn stains and maintaining crisp clothing. While it may not be suitable for delicate protein fibers like silk or wool due to protease action, it stands out as a highly effective, conventional laundry detergent for demanding household washing needs.

Who Is This Product For?

Who Should Avoid This Product?

Ingredient Evaluation

📁 Surfactants / 表面活性剂

🧪 C12-15 Alcohols Ethoxylated / C12-15 醇聚氧乙烯醚

Purpose: Acts as a nonionic surfactant to emulsify and remove oily and greasy soils while enhancing fabric wetting.

Concerns: Ethoxylation manufacturing process can generate trace 1,4-dioxane impurities if not thoroughly purified.

Notes: Highly effective in cold water washing and complements anionic surfactants by increasing tolerance to water hardness.

🧪 Sodium Laureth Sulfate / 月桂醇聚醚硫酸酯钠

Purpose: Functions as a primary anionic surfactant to generate foam and remove particulate and oily soils.

Concerns: May cause skin irritation at high concentrations; potential presence of trace 1,4-dioxane from the ethoxylation process.

Notes: Widely utilized in liquid formulations due to its superior solubility and gentle profile compared to sodium lauryl sulfate.

🧪 Sodium C10-16 Alkylbenzenesulfonate / C10-16 烷基苯磺酸钠

Purpose: Functions as a core anionic surfactant providing heavy-duty cleaning and soil suspension.

Concerns: Can cause skin and eye irritation in concentrated forms; can be toxic to aquatic life if released untreated.

Notes: One of the most widely used and cost-effective workhorse cleaning surfactants in household laundry products.

🧪 C8-18 Fatty Acid Amide MEA / C8-18 脂肪酸酰胺单乙醇胺

Purpose: Serves as a secondary nonionic surfactant, foam booster, and viscosity modifier.

Concerns: Can potentially form nitrosamines under nitrosating conditions if secondary amine impurities are present.

Notes: Derived from plant fatty acids and monoethanolamine to improve detergent stability and foam quality.

📁 Chelating Agents / 螯合剂与分散剂

🧪 Sodium Citrate / 柠檬酸钠

Purpose: Acts as a water builder and chelating agent that sequesters calcium and magnesium ions.

Notes: A readily biodegradable, renewable, and eco-friendly alternative to phosphate-based builders.

🧪 Tetrasodium Iminodisuccinate / 亚氨基二琥珀酸四钠

Purpose: Functions as a modern biodegradable chelating agent to bind heavy metal and hardness ions.

Notes: Serves as an environmentally sustainable substitute for conventional, poorly degradable chelants like EDTA and phosphonates.

🧪 Sodium Polyacrylate / 聚丙烯酸钠

Purpose: Acts as a soil dispersing and anti-redeposition polymer to prevent loosened dirt from settling back onto fabric.

Concerns: Low aquatic toxicity, but not readily biodegradable in natural waterways.

Notes: Significantly improves fabric whiteness retention over repeated wash cycles.

🧪 Polyethyleneimine Alkoxylated / 烷氧基化聚乙烯亚胺

Purpose: Functions as a specialized cleaning polymer to target tough clay, mud, and oily stain removal.

Notes: Commonly incorporated into high-performance laundry formulations to enhance stain release from cotton and synthetics.

📁 pH Adjusters / pH调节剂与溶剂

🧪 Water / 水

Purpose: Acts as the primary solvent and liquid vehicle to dissolve and disperse all formula components.

Notes: Deionized or purified water is typically used to ensure formulation stability and clarity.

🧪 Ethanolamine / 乙醇胺

Purpose: Serves as an alkaline pH adjuster and neutralizer for acid precursor surfactants.

Concerns: Concentrated forms are corrosive and can irritate the skin and respiratory system.

Notes: Forms soluble amine soaps that enhance detergent performance and cold-temperature solubility.

🧪 Triethanolamine / 三乙醇胺

Purpose: Functions as an alkaline buffering agent and pH stabilizer.

Concerns: Potential contact allergen for sensitive skin; may form nitrosamines in the presence of nitrosating agents.

Notes: Provides gentle pH buffering to keep enzymes and surfactants within their optimal operating range.

🧪 MEA-Citrate / 单乙醇胺柠檬酸盐

Purpose: Acts as a builder, buffering agent, and enzyme stabilizer in the liquid matrix.

Notes: Typically generated in situ during formulation by neutralizing citric acid with monoethanolamine.

🧪 Calcium Chloride / 氯化钙

Purpose: Provides calcium ions necessary for the structural stabilization of enzymes in liquid storage.

Notes: Crucial for preventing the self-digestion and inactivation of proteases and amylases prior to wash use.

📁 Active Ingredients / 活性成分

🧪 Protease Enzyme / 蛋白酶

Purpose: Catalyzes the breakdown of proteinaceous stains like blood, sweat, milk, grass, and egg into soluble peptides.

Concerns: Can cause respiratory irritation or allergic sensitization if inhaled in aerosolized or dust form.

Notes: Liquid matrix formulation prevents dust inhalation; performs optimally in neutral to mildly alkaline wash water.

🧪 Amylase Enzyme / 淀粉酶

Purpose: Breaks down insoluble starch-based food soils such as pasta, potatoes, sauces, and gravies.

Concerns: Potential respiratory sensitizer if aerosolized.

Notes: Operates synergistically with surfactants to dissolve starchy residues that adhere dirt to fabrics.

🧪 Mannanase Enzyme / 甘露聚糖酶

Purpose: Degrades difficult mannan and galactomannan gum residues commonly used as food and cosmetic thickeners.

Concerns: Potential respiratory allergen if aerosolized.

Notes: Effective at removing sticky stains from ice cream, salad dressings, sauces, and personal care products.

🧪 Fluorescent Brightener 28 Sodium Salt / 荧光增白剂 28 钠盐

Purpose: Absorbs invisible UV light and re-emits blue visible light to enhance the perception of fabric whiteness.

Concerns: Resistant to biodegradation and persistent in aquatic environments; possible skin sensitivity in rare cases.

Notes: A stilbene-type optical brightener widely utilized in residential and commercial laundry formulations.

📁 Preservatives / 防腐剂与外观成分

🧪 Methylchloroisothiazolinone / 甲基氯异噻唑啉酮

Purpose: Functions as a broad-spectrum antimicrobial preservative preventing bacterial and fungal contamination.

Concerns: Potent skin contact allergen and sensitizer; strictly restricted to very low concentrations (parts per million).

Notes: Standardly used in an approximate 3:1 synergistic blend with methylisothiazolinone.

🧪 Methylisothiazolinone / 甲基异噻唑啉酮

Purpose: Provides water-phase antimicrobial preservation against mold, yeast, and bacteria during product storage.

Concerns: High sensitization potential and known cause of contact dermatitis in sensitive individuals.

Notes: Heavily regulated across global markets to ensure safe limits in household and personal care products.

🧪 Fragrances / 香精

Purpose: Imparts a fresh and clean scent to the laundry detergent and masks base chemical odors.

Concerns: May contain volatile allergens that can trigger skin sensitivity or respiratory irritation.

Notes: Composed of complex proprietary mixtures designed to deposit pleasant scent notes onto dried fabrics.

🧪 Colorants / 着色剂

Purpose: Provides product color for aesthetic identification and brand recognition.

Concerns: Purely cosmetic additive with no cleaning efficacy; potential allergen in hypersensitive users.

Notes: Formulated with water-soluble, non-staining dyes designed to rinse clean without discoloring textiles.